Phillip S. Griffin, II, 34, joins Jill Holtzman, an attorney in Fauquier County, in announcing a bid for the GOP nomination.

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Griffin said he plans to run as a "pro-life conservative" for the seat.A Republican primary or convention till be held in June 2003, but that decision will be made by the 27th District GOP Committee.

Potts, 60, will announce by February whether he will run again, but his aide Lana Westfall noted Wednesday that Potts is next in seniority to be chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee chaired by Warren E. Barry (R), who will retire in July to serve on the state liquor board, Gov.

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In addition to his pro-life stance, Griffin said two issues in his campaign are "low taxes" though he added he has no firm pledge to oppose tax increases.Another top priority in his campaign, he said, is support for public education, particularly higher standards and appropriate funding.He said he will release more specifics on his education pledge at a later date.

Griffin is president and owner of his general practice law firm and is vice chairman of the Handley Regional Library Board in Winchester.In 2001 he was named 10th District vice chairman.Since August of last year he has served as chairman of the Winchester Republican Party.In 1995, he was a surrogate speaker for Potts in his run against Independent Tom Lewis.He worked on campaigns of former governors George Allen (R) and James Gilmore (R).

Meanwhile, Supervisor Mark R. Herring (D-Leesburg) has indicated he is eyeing a run for reelection as supervisor, for Potts' seat or the 33rd House seat held by Joe T. May (R).While he has filed a statement of organization, he hasn't yet announced which seat he will run for, Betsy Mayr, secretary to Loudoun's electoral board, confirmed Wednesday.

Phillip S. Griffin II stepped down as chairman of the Winchester Republican Party at its meeting Monday.

Griffin had been the party chairman since August 2001, when he stepped in to fill the unexpired term of Vincent DiBenedetto.Griffin won election in March of 2002 and was scheduled to serve until March of 2004.

Griffin told the party at its meeting in Rouss City Hall that he was stepping down to devote more time to his candidacy for the 27th District state Senate seat.

Griffin is one of four Republican candidates vying for the seat, including the incumbent, H. Russell Potts Jr.

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To continue as chairman of the Winchester Republican Party, Griffin said, would be "a time commitment."

"I want to spend more time getting out and around the district," Griffin said.

Griffin said he did not think that there would have been any conflict of interest between his candidacy and his chairmanship had he stayed in the chairmanship.

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As Republican Party Chairman, Griffin helped organize eight Frederick County campaigns in November 2001.He oversaw five Winchester City Council races in May of 2002, seeing four of them to victory.

"I'm pleased that the Republican Party has been so successful," Griffin said of his tenure.